The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards for 2026 have concluded, leaving a trail of glittering statuettes and a burning question: is homegrown horror now the undisputed champion of Australian cinema? The standout performer, "Bring Her Back," a supernatural folk horror directed by the Philippou twins, swept the board, clinching an astonishing ten awards, including the coveted Best Film and Best Direction.
This dominant win, especially following the success of their previous horror outing "Talk To Me" two years ago, raises significant questions about the industry's trajectory. Are we witnessing a genuine artistic evolution, or a strategic pivot towards genres that, while potentially profitable and internationally appealing, might overshadow other narrative forms? The Academy's choices this year, heavily favouring "Bring Her Back" and the miniseries "The Narrow Road to the Deep North," which garnered nine awards including Best Lead Actor for Jacob Elordi, invite a deeper examination of what truly constitutes cinematic excellence in the Australian context.
The Philippou Phenomenon: From YouTube to AACTA Supremacy
The success of twins Danny and Michael Philippou with "Bring Her Back" is a narrative in itself. Hailing from a background of creating viral content on YouTube, their transition to feature filmmaking, particularly in the horror genre, has been meteoric. Their debut, "Talk To Me," also triumphed at the AACTAs, signaling a powerful debut for their distinctive brand of disturbing storytelling. This year, "Bring Her Back," described as darker and more unsettling, has not only matched but arguably surpassed that success.
Read More: New Film 'Blue Boy Trial' Shows Old Case About Transgender Rights in Japan
AACTA Dominance: "Bring Her Back" secured 10 AACTA awards, including Best Film and Best Direction.
Repeat Success: This follows the triumph of their debut film, "Talk To Me," at the AACTAs two years prior.
Genre Focus: The Philippou twins have carved a niche in the supernatural folk horror subgenre.
But how sustainable is this genre-specific dominance? Does the AACTA's embrace of "Bring Her Back" reflect a broader shift in what Australian audiences and critics value, or is it a reflection of a particular brand of visceral storytelling that has found a receptive audience at award ceremonies? One can't help but wonder if other compelling narratives, perhaps those exploring more nuanced aspects of Australian life or history, were overlooked in the shadow of this genre powerhouse.
"The Narrow Road to the Deep North": A Literary Giant on Screen
Parallel to the horror surge, "The Narrow Road to the Deep North," adapted from Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize-winning novel, also made a significant impact, snagging nine awards. This literary adaptation's success, particularly Jacob Elordi's win for Best Lead Actor, underscores the industry's continued appreciation for bringing acclaimed Australian literature to the screen. Elordi, who has been steadily building a critical reputation after his early work on Netflix's "The Kissing Booth" and HBO's "Euphoria," is now a recognized force in serious dramatic acting.
Read More: Protests in Melbourne During Israeli President's Visit
Nine AACTA Awards: The miniseries was a major contender across multiple categories.
Jacob Elordi's Win: His Best Lead Actor award for "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" marks a significant career milestone.
Literary Adaptation: The film highlights the ongoing importance of adapting Australian literary works.
However, with Elordi also nominated for Favourite Australian Actor in the Audience Choice Awards, and his growing international profile with upcoming projects like "Wuthering Heights," it begs the question: how much of this success is truly reflective of Australian industry talent, and how much is a reflection of an actor already cemented on the global stage? While his performance is undoubtedly a draw, it’s worth scrutinizing the extent to which such wins boost the careers of emerging Australian talent versus reinforcing established international stars.
Read More: New Film 'O'Romeo' Gets 'A' Rating After Changes
The ABC's Steady Hand: Comedy, Children's, and Factual Excellence
Amidst the fanfare for "Bring Her Back" and "The Narrow Road to the Deep North," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quietly secured a commendable collection of awards. Programs like "Hard Quiz," taking home Best Comedy Entertainment Program and Best Comedy Performer for host Tom Gleeson, alongside "Play School: All Together" for Best Children's Program, and "Grand Designs Australia" for Best Lifestyle Program, demonstrate the national broadcaster's enduring commitment to diverse, quality content.
Multiple Wins for ABC: "Hard Quiz," "Play School," and "Grand Designs Australia" were all recognized.
Tom Gleeson's Award: Best Comedy Performer highlights the enduring appeal of "Hard Quiz."
Diverse Programming: These wins showcase the ABC's broad appeal across various demographics.
It’s easy to overlook these consistent wins in the shadow of major film awards. However, they represent the bedrock of Australian television. Could the ABC's steady output, often made with more modest budgets than major film productions, serve as a vital training ground and incubator for talent that might otherwise struggle to break through? Furthermore, Tom Gleeson's dedication of his award to the chair of the ABC, Kim Williams, adds an interesting layer, hinting at industry dynamics and support structures that might be less visible but are crucial for public broadcasting.
Beyond the Big Winners: Indie Spirit and Underrepresented Voices
While "Bring Her Back" and "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" dominated the headlines, the AACTA awards also shone a light on independent filmmaking and specific narratives. "Lesbian Space Princess" was recognized with the Best Indie Film award, a testament to the vitality and creativity within Australia's independent sector. Additionally, films like "The People vs Robodebt" picked up awards for its documentary and nonfiction television direction, highlighting the importance of tackling crucial social and political issues.
Read More: Many Protests Happen in Australian Cities
Best Indie Film: "Lesbian Space Princess" celebrated for its independent spirit.
Documentary Recognition: "The People vs Robodebt" acknowledged for its factual storytelling.
Emerging Talent: The nominations and wins for supporting actors in "Bring Her Back," such as Jonah Wren Phillips and Sora Wong, suggest a growing platform for younger talent.
However, questions remain about representation. Were there films or series that championed marginalized communities or explored less conventional themes that didn't receive the same level of industry recognition? The journey of young actors like Sora Wong, in her first acting role and securing a supporting actress nomination, is inspiring. But does this point to a system that nurtures new talent effectively, or is it more of an exception that proves the rule? How can the AACTA awards continue to broaden their scope to ensure all voices in the Australian screen industry are heard and celebrated?
Critical Reflections on the AACTA Landscape
The 2026 AACTA Awards, as reported across various outlets, present a complex picture of the Australian screen industry. The triumph of genre filmmaking, particularly horror, alongside the prestige of literary adaptations, suggests a dynamic but perhaps narrowly focused landscape.
Read More: New Film 'Little Amélie' Shows Childhood in Japan
The Numbers Game: "Bring Her Back" dominated with 10 awards, while "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" secured 9. The ABC also performed strongly across various categories.
Star Power: Jacob Elordi's win, alongside the recognition of figures like Margot Robbie and Sarah Snook, highlights the interplay between international stars and the Australian industry.
Industry Recognition: Awards like the Longford Lyell Award for Bruce Beresford and the Byron Kennedy Award for Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings acknowledge significant contributions to the industry.
As we dissect these results, a few probing questions linger:
Genre Dominance: To what extent does the industry's focus on genre, particularly horror, stifle exploration in other areas? Are we seeing a deliberate strategy to capture international markets at the expense of diverse storytelling?
Talent Nurturing: While "Bring Her Back" features promising young actors, does the industry consistently provide pathways for emerging Australian talent to reach the highest levels, or are international stars often given the spotlight?
AACTA's Role: How can the AACTA awards better reflect the full spectrum of Australian stories and voices, moving beyond established genres and high-profile names to truly champion the breadth of creative output?
Funding and Support: What does the success of films like "Bring Her Back" tell us about current funding models and industry support for filmmakers, especially those experimenting with genre?
Audience vs. Academy: How do the Academy's choices align with audience preferences, as indicated by the Audience Choice Awards where "Stranger Things" and "Wicked: For Good" were favourites?
Read More: Barbeques Galore Stores Close After Company Faces Money Problems
The AACTA Awards are a vital barometer for the health and direction of Australian cinema and television. This year's results, with "Bring Her Back" leading the charge, undoubtedly mark a significant moment. However, a critical and investigative eye must remain fixed on what these wins truly signify for the future of storytelling Down Under.
Sources:
Homegrown horror Bring Her Back, Jacob Elordi and Narrow Road to the Deep North lead AACTA wins - The Age: https://www.theage.com.au/culture/movies/homegrown-horror-bring-her-back-jacob-elordi-and-narrow-road-to-the-deep-north-lead-aacta-wins-20260201-p5nynh.html
Aacta awards 2026: horror film Bring Her Back and Jacob Elordi win big at Australian film and TV prizes - The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/feb/06/aacta-awards-2026-winners-bring-her-back-jacob-elordi
‘Bring Her Back’ Leads 2026 Australian Academy Awards; Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Sarah Snook Among Winners - Variety: https://www.variety.com/2026/film/news/australian-academy-awards-winners-2026-1236653989/
'Bring Her Back', 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' dominate AACTA Industry Gala - IF Magazine: https://if.com.au/bring-her-back-the-narrow-road-to-the-deep-north-dominate-aacta-industry-awards/
Winners of 2026 AACTA Awards Industry Gala Revealed - Variety Australia: https://au.variety.com/2026/awards/news/aacta-awards-industry-gala-winners-2026-32786/
'Apple Cider Vinegar' claims most nominations at AACTA Awards 2026 - RUSSH: https://www.russh.com/aacta-awards-2026-nominees/
Belle Gibson drama tops 2026 AACTA nominations - ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-06/aacta-nominations-2026-jacob-elordi-nicole-kidman/106101160
Belle Gibson drama Apple Cider Vinegar leads 2026 Aacta award nominations - The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/06/belle-gibson-apple-cider-vinegar-netflix-aacta-award-nominations
Live: Sarah Snook wins International AACTA for All Her Fault - ABC News: https://abc.net.au/news/2026-02-06/aacta-awards-2026-live-blog-winners-red-carpet-sarah-snook/106295178
‘Just grateful’: Two ‘bogans from Australia’ lead film award nominations - Watoday: https://www.watoday.com.au/culture/movies/just-grateful-two-bogans-from-australia-lead-film-award-nominations-20251203-p5nkjb.html
Why you should watch Jacob Elordi's The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Womens Weekly: https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/the-narrow-road-to-the-deep-north/
Nicole Kidman, Jacob Elordi, Sam Neill, Aisha Dee, Teresa Palmer and Alison Brie among star-studded field of nominees announced for the 2026 AACTA Awards - FilmInk: https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/nicole-kidman-jacob-elordi-sam-neill-aisha-dee-teresa-palmer-and-alison-brie-among-star-studded-field-of-nominees-announced-for-the-2026-aacta-awards/
Nominees Announced for the 2026 AACTA Awards | AACTA: https://www.aacta.org/our-news/media-room/nominees-announced-for-the-2026-aacta-awards/
Jacob Elordi - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JacobElordi
Read More: Radiohead Musician Asks for Song to Be Taken Out of Melania Trump Film
